Why we afraid to tell the truth ??

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  1. sushant143 profile image60
    sushant143posted 12 years ago

    Why we afraid to tell the truth ??

  2. NateB11 profile image85
    NateB11posted 12 years ago

    I think because we are rarely completely honest about anything, especially inwardly where it counts the most; we are afraid to face ourselves, see our confusion, our bad tendencies; we seek security, inwardly, by any means, which generally involves deception. Therefore, we also can't tell the truth.

    1. sharewhatuknow profile image60
      sharewhatuknowposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't agree. I am very honest with myself and do my very best to be honest with others. Afraid to face myself? No. I am secure in myself and do not have to deceive anyone to retain that.

    2. NateB11 profile image85
      NateB11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You just confirmed what I said. Thank you.

  3. profile image0
    matama ellieposted 12 years ago

    Personally i believe that if you need the truth from me you should be ready to hear it in all its glory.No one should ask for the truth if they are not ready to hear it and then start getting mad.

    I guess people do not tell the truth because they do not want to hurt others or because the people being told the truth become hostile once they hear what you tell them.
    The truth is a double edged sword so one should be careful with it. Your intentions when telling it matter.

    1. sharewhatuknow profile image60
      sharewhatuknowposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly. I for one never ask others if I am too fat, is my butt too big or am I attractive. If you want to hear a lie, those are the questions to ask.

    2. loveofnight profile image79
      loveofnightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you matama ellie, I am not the person that someone should come to for truth unless they are more than willing to hear it.

  4. somethgblue profile image69
    somethgblueposted 12 years ago

    Because humanity has been conditioned to be the victim for thousands of years and to ask for help from outside sources, such as an all benevolent God.

    However since God exists inside each of us we should be seeking the truth from the inside and learning to trust the word of one who knows (that little voice inside us) that can distinguish between right and wrong.

    To often we ask for others to provide truth for us when we are the ones that must ultimately believe it so why ask for outside help, because that is what our schools, parents and spiritual leaders teach us to do, ask for guidance.

    This creates the victim mentality where we always seek salvation from outside sources. Look at addiction, ultimately it comes down to faith and yet we pay thousands of dollars to organizations to show us how to do what we already know in our hearts how to do.

    So we have been conditioned to allow others to provide the truth for us. When we learn to always tell the truth we also learn that it is unnecessary to do so when it will cause others pain.

    Learning to be honest with others and God is easy anyone can do that . . . it is when we learn to trust ourselves that our path becomes difficult however it is a very enlightening path and one that I am glad I finally found.

    We have been conditioned to ridicule and resent the truth through the media, TV our spiritual leaders, teachers and parents and this cycle must end if the human race wishes to ascend to the next level of evolution.

    We fear speaking the truth because we fear being wrong. When I learned that I could be wrong and still be happy it allowed me to learn from my past and not attempt to change it or live in it.

    We learn more readily from our mistakes than our victories, so that is why The Powers That Be wish for us to be fearful of being wrong so that we will not recognize our full unlimited potential.

    1. LewSethics profile image60
      LewSethicsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Spoken like a true robot.

  5. swordsbane profile image60
    swordsbaneposted 12 years ago

    No one is afraid to tell the truth if there are no negative personal consequences or the chances of positive personal consequences are not better if they lie.  Mostly, we're afraid to tell the truth because to do so would reveal that we have previously been dishonest.  Almost all dishonesty is born from other dishonestly.  You lie to cover up another lie.  Also, 90% of our lies are little things, relatively unimportant things that make us look better to other people, either more knowledgeable, more creative, more courageous.  Big lies come from people who have told a few small lies and to cover up those, they need to tell a big lie and rationalize it by saying that no one will get hurt.  The thing that separates big lies from small lies is that people get hurt... and it's not always easy to tell the big lies from the small one's before you've told them.

    The only really bad lies are the one's told purely for the sake of personal gain and regardless of the consequences.  Those are mostly told by politicians and con-men.

    1. sharewhatuknow profile image60
      sharewhatuknowposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer sword.

  6. sharewhatuknow profile image60
    sharewhatuknowposted 12 years ago

    It depends on what you need to tell the truth about.

    If a minority were to ask me if I hate a certain minority group, I would probably lie and say no  ( Just an example folks, I am not a hater ).


    If someone asked me if I thought they were pretty, when I believed they weren't, I would lie and say yes.

    If the cops asked me if that was my wacky tobacky, I would lie and say no.

    In these situations, we are afraid to tell the truth. Why? Because we don't want to offend, hurt feelings and go to jail...hahahaha.

    1. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually it doesn't depend what the subject matter is, it depends on whether or not you have any class . . . and how mature you have become.

      So you would prefer if someone else took the blame for your criminal behavior, hmmm!

  7. soconfident profile image64
    soconfidentposted 12 years ago

    Depending on the situation, it maybe, because we don't want to hurt anybody, or we maybe scared of the consequences of our actions.

  8. Rosana Modugno profile image63
    Rosana Modugnoposted 12 years ago

    I've often asked myself this question.  I don't know too many people that are as honest as I am.  I've been called "brutal" before and it's actually a bit offensive.  It's not like I try to hurt anyone's feelings.  I just never saw the reason to sugar coat things or wear rose colored glasses or for pretense.  It's a total waste of time.

    Why do we do it?  Maybe some do it so as not to hurt someone's feelings or to avoid conflict at any cost or to get in trouble, depending on the situation. 

    I think honesty is truly the answer to more issues than most of us are willing to admit.

  9. yankeeintexas profile image60
    yankeeintexasposted 12 years ago

    I believe the reason why we are afrarid to tell the truth is because the truth is not always popular. Think about how a "posistive" our culture is. We want to here good things, and believe that the world is wonderful place. The fact is that the truth is not always "positive"! It also a fact that the person telling the truth is often looked at as the bad guy.

    1. loveofnight profile image79
      loveofnightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is so true because a lot of people may ask for the truth but really don't want to hear it unless it goes along with what they want to hear, too often I have been the bad guy because someone asked the truth from me.

    2. Sarah Christina profile image68
      Sarah Christinaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree. My niece, for example, likes to think positive all the time and if you bring up the truth that happens to not be positive, she labels it as "just being negative" and won't listen. Some people have a hard time facing reality.

  10. conradofontanilla profile image67
    conradofontanillaposted 12 years ago

    For one, we are afraid to tell the truth if it hurts us or those dear to us.
    For another, we are afraid to tell the truth that goes against the grain.

    1. loveofnight profile image79
      loveofnightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am in agreement with you conradofontanilla, the truth can hurt or go against the grain more often than not.

  11. ReneeDC1979 profile image60
    ReneeDC1979posted 12 years ago

    People are afraid to tell the truth because they are not ready to hear a truthful response.  I think we worry so much about what others think and feel that we doubt ourselves.  Also, we sometimes do not tell the truth because we do not want to hurt the other person's feelings.

  12. d.william profile image73
    d.williamposted 12 years ago

    People who are afraid to tell the truth, are mostly afraid of the consequences of telling the truth.  When you always tell the truth (and i certainly believe that NO one fits into that category) you reveal your inner self to others, and your are judged on that truth.  For example, if you are asked if you think same-sex marriages should be allowed and you answer 'yes' you are assumed to be gay and ridiculed for that assertion, when you simply meant to say that you think all people should be treated equal.  So we lie to satisfy the crowd, and the person asking our opinion; and to be accepted by others, by seemingly conforming to what society thinks you should.
    Frankly i enjoy telling the truth when i know it will aggravate others, and simply to let them know i disagree with their opinions and attitudes.

    1. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Coming from the mentality of a six year old, your last sentence surely reveals your true nature an immature stance on the world , bravo!

    2. LewSethics profile image60
      LewSethicsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, d., aggravating smug morons is big fun.  Especially when a few start to doubt themselves and the ones who stick to their guns get mad at them.  Then you just feed the fire.

  13. einron profile image50
    einronposted 12 years ago

    We may be afraid to tell the truth because we may be wrong or are not sure what the truth is. 

    We may not want to hurt the person by telling the truth.

    We may tell ourselves, "Mind your own businesss".

    It is better for the person to find the truth for himself/herself.

    The person cannot blame us if anything goes wrong or the person may attack us..

  14. LewSethics profile image60
    LewSethicsposted 12 years ago

    What do you mean 'we'?  Everybody tells the truth.  People seldom have to lie, and usually only lie when they are hiding something or feel they have to be perceived as being right when they know they are wrong.  Not wanting to tell the truth is not the same as being afraid to tell the truth.  If someone is afraid to tell the truth it is because they are too emotionally invested in the lies they told and fear the consequences they are facing.  Not wanting to tell the truth is because that person is just a liar.

  15. Gabriel Wilson profile image93
    Gabriel Wilsonposted 12 years ago

    Perhaps, one reason may be because it's not always the truth we are afraid of telling but rather the reception we receive when we tell it. Not everyone is able to deal with the truth! That fear alone cultivates many lies; white lies they may be, but lies all the same. White lies grow and before we know it; we are afraid to tell the truth.

    1. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think you have nailed Gabriel . . . well done good answer!

  16. John Sarkis profile image80
    John Sarkisposted 12 years ago

    It depends to whom you're referring to.  With family, you can sometimes hurt others when you tell the truth; at work, you can sometimes get into trouble if you're too frank.  Additionally, I've learned from experience that many people who like to "tell it like it is" as they say, don't often like others to tell it to them like it is....

  17. MarleneB profile image91
    MarleneBposted 12 years ago

    I'm answering on the assumption that there are some people who are afraid to tell the truth - not addressing people who do tell the truth.

    I think, for those who lie, it's because the truth can be hurtful. Depending on the situation, a true answer could prove to be hurtful. If I ask my husband if he likes my new dress, he could be honest and say, "No. It makes your butt look big." Well, I might be hurt by that comment, but it's the truth. That dress does make my butt look big. I just want to hear him tell me otherwise. A wise man would answer, "No!" An honest man would tell the truth. Most people don't want to be hurtful, so my guess is that they will be less than truthful so as not to hurt someone's feelings.

  18. monkeyminds profile image42
    monkeymindsposted 12 years ago

    Man has elevated the word truth to some magical substance that persons of authority wear like cologne.

    Truth is just one's opinion.

    1. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Truth stands alone, it is not owned by any man. A man may distort it, twist it or cover it up but it remains like a beacon of light in the cold abyss.

    2. monkeyminds profile image42
      monkeymindsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      truth=opinion
      I challenge you to make a single statement that does not resolve to an opinion.

    3. NateB11 profile image85
      NateB11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, because people believe truth is something set in stone, by their savior, ideology, imagination, and opinion; what is true is not static.

    4. Insane Mundane profile image59
      Insane Mundaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, monkey brains, truth is found within our self along with our instincts, sort of like conscience within our conscious minds (yes, I meant that to be plural)...

    5. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your momma.

  19. Insane Mundane profile image59
    Insane Mundaneposted 12 years ago

    I'm never afraid to tell the truth, as I'm probably the most honest person you will ever meet in person, which is why most people probably don't like my attitude!  I mean, what do you want me to do, cut my head off?

    1. monkeyminds profile image42
      monkeymindsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My grandmother told me I was so ugly as a baby it her her eyes to look at me.

    2. Insane Mundane profile image59
      Insane Mundaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, well...  Beauty may not be your forte, but at least you have the option to limit your stupidity, right?

    3. somethgblue profile image69
      somethgblueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Clint you could make it a pay per view event and use a rusty dull spoon so that it will take hours to accomplish, I for one would pay to see it.

    4. Insane Mundane profile image59
      Insane Mundaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I prefer "Eastwood" and for what you have described, I'd recommend a dull machete - with or without the rust...

  20. A Perfect Chef profile image67
    A Perfect Chefposted 12 years ago

    Much of the time, telling the truth can be hurtful to others as well as one's self.  Sometimes people are afraid to tell the truth because they have something to hide.  Secrets provoke lies.

  21. Goody5 profile image59
    Goody5posted 12 years ago

    It's probably just because they are afraid that they will get into some kind of trouble.

  22. fpherj48 profile image61
    fpherj48posted 12 years ago

    sushant....I may be breaking away from the pack, but In the interest of "honesty," which is what we're discussing here, I need to tell you exactly as I see it.
    Anyone who has ever lied about anything, has had what they consider, a valid reason.  The very word, "lie," carries an unpleasant reputation.  Add to this, parents & teachers who tell us to "never tell a lie!"...and being a liar becomes a felony, worthy of capital punishment.   Now take all this and go another level higher and include any form of religious training, preaching, and literal brainwashing about ALL the wretched sins one can commit, thus be damned to the fires of Hell for all eternity............The sum total equals   F E A R. 
    Now...this may be more truth than most people can tolerate......but all this talk about being forced to lie, in order to save someone's feeling?   Bunk...pure, bunk.   Human nature is far too self-protective for this.....the concern is not because of someone's delicate psyche, that we lie.....It is because, 97% of the human race wants to be liked, appreciated and accepted.   We instinctively KNOW that if we tell it like it IS (the truth) and shoot straight from the hip......the receiver will recoil .in disgust, anger or ...because they wanted you to say, what they WANTED TO HEAR.   No way do they want truth. Therefore.....we insist...."No, you do not look fat in that dress."   (as we say to ourselves....."Of course you LOOK fat...you ARE fat!")    Finally, I will quote one of the wisest men who ever lived, IMO.......
    "If you feel the need to ASK.....even though you already know the truth......obviously, you're looking for someone to LIE to you.....so you can later BLAME them."
    As Edith Ann would say, "And THAT'S the truth!"

 
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